The GC saddle is about the width of a B-17, but shaped and tied as shown in the photo. It has a titanium frame and rails, making it super light. Colors will be black, brown, and honey. We're shooting for a price of around $150-$175 We hope to have them in about 90 days. Be careful with these, they float to the ceiling if not bolted down.

"We recommend attaching it to the saddle rails, rather than saddle loops, as this minimizes swaying and keep the bag low and out of the way" Based on the Croissant bag in the picture, is this old advice?

Anon, The Rando frame uses classic French low trail geometry. This is different than the high trail "British/Japanese/Italian geometry" used by the other companies you mention. Those bikes would be a poor substitute for someone wanting a classic-style randonnuse in the Hearse/Singer mold. The others are fine bikes, but have a different approach to handling.

Anons who don't like racks and bags: You don't seem to understand what you're looking at. Before you make comments, you should ask yourself if the point you want to make might be nonsensical in context—as it was. You should also perhaps take the time to actually *ride* a bike with a rando rack and bag before dismissing this type of bike or those who much prefer them to less practical bikes. If you approach the ride objectively, you'll notice that the bicycle performs beautifully and is unencumbered by the addition of rack and bag, even when that bag is loaded. When you take your naked race bike out for an 8 - 12hr ride, where do you put your food, tool kit, phone, extra layer, etc.? In your jersey? I bet that's comfortable. And it's a shame, considering you and the bike weigh the same, no matter where the extra stuff rides. Drop your Tour de France poseur prejudices and go ride one of these bikes before commenting in such a predictable, status quo, boooring, nonconstructive manner. Thanks.

p.s. If you assume I don't understand the carbon weight weenie's take, you're wrong. Been there, done that, and still do sometimes. A different animal altogether. That's one rarefied aspect of cycling that, by tapping into the average guy's dreams of heroism, has grown out of balance. I know dozens of reformed roadies. And lots of people like myself, who never took such a straitjacketed view of cycling but, instead, understood that cycling is like a tree with many fruits, all of which are delicious in their own way.

And, yes, the rack and bag add some weight, but the point here is this isn't riding for weight weenies, though it's easy to offset the extra weight with a super-premium build. That said, once you go rando, you know something the roadies don't: That bit of extra weight just makes you stronger, and while you may like to go fast and make great time, you're not in it to race anybody. You're in it to enjoy the ride.

The first anon was probably just taking shots at the VO knock-offs, but the 2nd anon has a very good point. If Vo wants to Market to a broad audience there is no need to out the little bell and the saddle bag and the front rack to show the overall look and geomentry of the back. I think anon II was making a very valid point. This bike could never be mistaken for a race bike and any weight weinie would not even consider buying one as it is not a bike for a wienie.

Most people know what they want to add and as long as they know where the mounts are that should suffice. SAve the accessorizing for marketing the accessories. I personally like the seat and tape though, so that is ok.

Well, I don't know. I have a very light 1960s Bottecchia Professional--the kind that real pro racers rode back then--and mine has fenders, a bag, and a bell, as well as lights. (Still only around 22 pounds with all that and the Tubus Fly rack.)

Why would I do that? Perhaps because I ride all the time, everywhere, in rain, in darkness, through heavy car and pedestrian traffic, every day?

I suppose I could strip my bike down and skip a lot of rides--if I didn't like riding it so much.

Some anonymous posters (and I really wish some of those folks would sign with their name!) just don't get the point of this bike. Bags, racks and fenders on a Randonneur are not "accessories" any more than the 30mm Gatling gun on the A-10 Warthog is an "accessory".

Great post! I was just thinking about a build list for my P/R and your parts are on my short list. I would be really interested in a quote for something like this, with 650b wheels though. Rack and bell included!

that's what really burns me up--the old French racers really did have eyelets and enough clearance for just about anything. As a former competitive rider, I've amassed a number of great, speedy bikes but culturally, we made a mistake. We began to associate versatility with a lack of performance. It's like the irrational American hatred for hatchback automobiles. Glad to see we're starting to see the light.

Nothing wrong with riding a great steel or ti road bike with a courier bag and clipon fenders, as I often do, but it's a damn shame when you can't do a shopping run or weekend tour. If I were starting from scratch, I'd already own a VO rando.

Joel. No I think anon is suggesting that you and your ilk may be incapable of having any ideas of your own on how to accessorize your bikes. I mean, what kind of air pump shall you use, what color water bottle, what if I decide I want a rear rack ?

You could fit the VO Constructeur rear rack, supported at two points by the fender, which would be fine for light loads, but the geometry of this bike doesn't really lend itself to heavy rear loads. By design, you're meant to carry most of the load up front in a handlebar bag.

Anon 3:35 your response makes no sense. You anons are the ones getting all upset the bike is built up in a way you don't approve.

I can look at a bike built up the way the designer believes it should be and either accept that build or figure out what I would go with. I don't need the designer to do my thing in order to grasp how it would look with my kit.

I think that (especially at this price point) the Rando frameset is a great accomplishment. Thank Dieu that it has a real one-inch threaded headset, as the Gods intended. Now, that said, I am still a recovering weight weenie, so could you list the approx. weight of each size, frame and fork separately please? Yes, I know it doesn't matter, but it does to me - I'm just that way, sorry, and I'm too darn old to change. Any 'superlight tubing version for skinny weight-freak high-cadence spinners' on the horizon? The old French frames tended to be super-super-light in many cases, by the way.

I must remark as the other article is closed to comments. So to keep it short, Blue Moon has been making a "Belgian White Ale", it's been okay, perhaps better when it was a new experience 12 years ago... anyway, Blue Moon came out with a special "Grand Cru" edition over the Christmas season, a bit costly, I just got a bottle discounted to half price here in March (original price can be more than $10!). It's okay, I like regular Blue Moon but go with Yuengling, if you don't have Yuengling, I believe Budweiser is imitating them with their American Ale. http://seattlebeernews.com/?p=1247&cpage=1#comment-4880 Link discussing "Grand Cru" Belgian White Ale.